Omar Kelly: Dolphins can’t afford for winning ways to mask glaring issues

Let’s play the “what if game” for one minute with the hopes that it might provide some clarity on the 2021 Miami Dolphins season, and the lessons we should be taking from it.

If the resurgent Dolphins had received the calls and bounces they didn’t get during their seven-game losing streak, and it had resulted in three more wins, would our assessment of the team, coaches, front office and roster be different?

If Will Fuller had gotten a pass interference call in the end zone, and Miami scored at the 1-yard line, turning an overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders into an overtime win, would you view this team the same?

If Urban Meyer hadn’t outsmarted Miami’s entire coaching staff, putting the Jacksonville Jaguars in position to kick the game-winning field goal instead of forcing overtime, and Miami somehow managed to pull off a win, would you view these coaches more favorably?

If Kyle Pitts hadn’t put on a superhero cape and delivered two big receptions in the game-winning drive that propelled the Falcons to a 30-28 win, the Dolphins might be sitting atop the AFC — right next to the 8-4 New England Patriots, the team Miami beat in the opener. Albeit saddled with a horrendous offensive line, a lackluster run game that averages just 3.4 yards per carry (second worst in NFL), an injury-prone receiving unit and an inconsistent defense.

If the Dolphins were on a playoff trajectory and in the AFC East hunt heading into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants (4-7) instead of being 5-7, would it mean we can overlook this team’s glaring issues?

That is why I’d argue this season’s struggles was a blessing in disguise because we needed to see the issues for this regime to build a title contending team.

The Dolphins needed the humbling that the seven-game losing streak provided because it identified their deficiencies — then tested and reinforced the core principles that coach Brian Flores and his staff have been preaching for three seasons.

Flaws were exposed instead of them being masked by wins, which will eventually create change and upgrades that could produce a better team down the line.

At least that’s the hope.

That’s usually what hasn’t happened with this franchise every time they get to this point.

Patience is important when building a dynasty, but it’s not as important as being able to properly assess the roster and the franchise’s strengths and weaknesses in order to create solutions.

This season should provide everyone in a position of power — Flores and general manager Chris Grier — a clear picture of what needs to be done. Owner Steve Ross should put everyone on notice because a repeat of what happened this offseason and during the season should cost people their jobs.

Consider this a recalibration.

View 2021 as an opportunity to reassess your standing, program, and most importantly, your process.

This team had similar issues last year, and some actually carried over from the year before, considering the offensive line and the lack of a running game has been an issue every year of Flores’ tenure. Yet many were raving about how promising the franchise was after its 10-6 finish in 2020.

Then very little got fixed, despite a few moves to address the perceived issues, and some areas became more problematic because of decisions made.

No matter how this season turns out, the Dolphins need to examine why the signing of oft-injured Will Fuller was a disaster, analyze how they thought the purging of offensive lineman Ereck Flowers made sense, and discuss if viewing the tailback position as an afterthought is a wise approach.

And Flores must examine whether his offensive staff is good enough to product a top-10 offense.

This season shouldn’t not be swept under the rug, no matter how it ends.

The season’s final month is important for continued development and problem solving. But this upcoming offseason is about survival.

That’s why the mistakes made in 2021 can’t be ignored.

And they better not be repeated.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3D8J1Ce